LLL052 Robbie Furman: Balloon Missionary @twisticologist

Robbie Lounged with LannaLee and got a couch!

Robbie Lounged with LannaLee and got a couch!

Robbie Lounged with LannaLee and got a couch!

Here is the sixth part of a six-part series featuring those special people who make art and entertainment out of folding air into latex balloons. Our conversations centered on making a living doing art, how they started in the biz and their creative processes. Laypeople and twisters alike will enjoy these fantastic conversations.

Robbie tells Lanna about his missionary work, how he loves to help people, and his simple creative process. Robbie and Lanna geek out about balloons, while Robbie explains how he got started twisting. Robbie makes Lanna cry. And he anwers 10 questions.

Robbie Furman

Originally from Parsippany, New Jersey Robbie Furman, CBA has been working with balloons for over 20 years. His original designs and techniques have become the mainstay of many balloon decorators and artists the world over.

As a small boy, Robbie saw his first twisted balloon at a birthday party and told his mother he wanted to make balloons when he grew up. His mother quickly replied…”Yes Dear, I’ll remind you…now go play” Well, his mother forgot to remind him, but years later, while working in a used book store, Robbie found a copy of Balloon Magic, by Marvin Hardy- and as they say, the rest is history.

With this new love and knowledge of balloons, Robbie started volunteering at various non-profit events and, after several years, had a calling to become a full-time volunteer. He dedicated a year and half of his life to missionary work in San Diego and also served in the Domestic Peace Corps. During that time, he used his balloons to put smiles on many peoples’ faces. As a result of these experiences, he had a chance to try new things with his balloons and venture into the Deco-twisting world full-time.

Robbie is currently based in the Northern New Jersey area, where his unique style has allowed him to decorate for thousands of events over the years. His balloons have been seen on ABC’s All My Children, One Life to Live, Live with Regis and Kelly, Ugly Betty and Good Morning America.

Over the past several years, Robbie has been teaching his Deco-Twisting style to thousands of students around the world. Most recently Robbie has traveled to Israel, France, Italy, Colombia, Japan, and England.

Robbie’s passion and desire is to share his balloon knowledge and enthusiasm with those around the world. Recently, Robbie was awarded the Golden Light Award, given in honor of the late Linda Bruce.

The 411: Robbie Furman

LLL049 Larry Moss: Experiencing the Art @airigami

Larry lounged with LannaLee and got a couch!
Larry lounged with LannaLee and got a couch!

Larry lounged with LannaLee and got a couch!

Here is the third part of a six-part series featuring those special people who make art and entertainment out of folding air into latex balloons. Our conversations centered on making a living doing art, how they started in the biz and their creative processes. Laypeople and twisters alike will enjoy these fantastic conversations.

Larry and Lanna chat about art, minor celebrity and being balloon famous. They discuss using community to create large-scale balloon sculptures and the ins and outs of getting a Guinness World record. Lanna quizzes Larry about his adventures in Cannes with Bright Bricks and Aardman Animations. Larry talks about his really bad Harry Anderson impression. And he answers 10 questions.

Larry Moss

Larry Moss began his career in 1985 as a NYC street performer, but has gone on to display his amazing air-filled art in 12 countries on four continents. His achievements have been recognized by The Wall Street Journal, the Associated Press, CNN Headline, PBS, Smithsonian Magazine, American Profile and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Moss has appeared on The Martha Stewart Show, NBC’s “Today” and at the White House, and has held the Guinness World Record for the largest non-round balloon sculpture since 2000. The author of many published ballooning books, Larry also has a degree in applied math and computer science, as well as a master’s in elementary education. Building community through his large-scale art creations is of particular interest to Larry, and was the focus of his 2009 TEDx talk in Rochester, NY.

The 411: Larry Moss